Making the most of speed boots requires a good conceptual understanding of speed, and in particular the difference between turns and actions. Simply put, speed boots give a player an extra six movement points per turn, plus a 1/3 chance of an additional six movement points. This boosts the normal movement rate from 12 to 18 (150% normal speed, or 3 moves every 2 turns), with a 1/3 chance per turn of movement rate being 24 (200% normal speed, or 2 full moves per turn). On average, the player will thus get 20 movement points per turn (167% normal speed, or 5 moves every 3 turns).

Contents

Strategy

In the early game, speed boots are generally considered the most useful boots, and indeed one of the most useful items overall. With speed boots, an unburdened player can outrun most foes, including highly dangerous soldier ants, leocrottas, and most centaurs (mountain centaurs are the exception). Some exceptionally fast monsters such as air elementals, warhorses, and unicorns will still be faster than a player with speed boots, but there are easy ways of dealing with the last two. In addition to enhanced flight, speed boots also give a fighting player extra attacks so a player in speed boots gets five attacks for every three that he would get without. Blessed fireproof +2 (or +3) speed boots is a great wish for a player who already has magic resistance, reflection, and a strong weapon.

Wearing speed boots yourself does not allow you to move any faster when riding a steed. Therefore, a player who spends most of his time riding would do better with jumping boots, or possibly water walking boots for those emergencies when your flying steed bucks you or gets killed over water.

Messages

You feel yourself speed up.

You put them on, and did not yet possess speed.

You feel yourself speed up a bit more.

You put them on, and already were fast (but not very fast).

Your quickness feels more/less natural.

You gained/lost intrinsic speed while wearing the boots.

SLASH'EM

In SLASH'EM, Whisperfeet is an artifact pair of speed boots that, in addition to their normal effect, give stealth and act as a luckstone. They are the guaranteed first sacrifice gift for tourists. Additionally, due to the new create pool spell that monsters will cast at you, non-flying players may prefer water walking boots to speed boots as their primary shoe of choice in the late game.

Notes

↑Some monsters can also drink a potion of speed monster for the same effect.